January 2025 California Wildfires Megathread
This is not being updated anymore, because your OP got exhausted trying to keep up with it and the other mods agreed it wasn't a good idea for me to keep giving myself flashbacks to 2019/20's Black Summer
A lot of users here in r/collapse have started posting up threads; to prevent the sub being flooded and those people copping Rule 8 warnings for posting overlapping or duplicated info, we've got a megathread up.
Megathread Summary:
In short; multiple fast-moving wildfires in Los Angeles has destroyed or damaged over 10,000 structures so far. There are now ten confirmed fatalities, but this number is expected to rise. Tens of thousands of people remain under evacuation orders, and curfews are in effect to prevent looting. A major disaster has been declared by the US Government; the US DoD (US Navy and Northern Command) as well as the Nevada National Guard have been called in to assist.
As of 14:30 hrs, Friday, local time:
The Archer Fire is near Bee Canyon Park. It has burned 19 acres [7ha] and is 0% contained, but forward progress has been stopped.
The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles was first reported at 10:30hrs local time Tuesday and has grown to over 19,978 acres [8,084 ha] with zero containment. Over 1,000 structures are lost in this fire. This fire is 8% contained. Surrounding areas are under evacuation orders. This fire is still spreading. A boil water notice is in effect for impacted areas (accessed via the CalFire link).
The Eaton Fire, first reported Tuesday night local time in the hills above Altadena in northern Los Angeles County, and has burned at least 13,690 acres [5,540 ha]. Around 4,000 structures have been damaged or lost. This fire is spotting up to 2.5 miles (4km) ahead of the firefront. This fire is reported as 3% contained; firefighters are trying their best, but this one is exceptionally dangerous. Surrounding areas are under evacuation orders, and multiple school districts are closed. This fire has summited Mount Wilson. The water in the areas of Eaton under evacuation orders is not safe to drink, even if you boil it. There will be a virtual community meeting at 16:00hrs local time regarding this fire.
The Kenneth Fire began at Victory Boulevard west of Gilmore St, West Hills. Consult the LA City Evacuation Map as evacuation orders have changed rapidly. Over 1000 acres [404 ha] have been destroyed and the fire is 35% contained. More information is available from Watch Duty.
The Hurst Fire, first reported late Tuesday night local time, began in the Sylmar neighbourhood of Los Angeles late Tuesday night. It has burned at least 671 acres [271 ha]; this fire is 37% contained. The evacuation order situation is fluctuating.
The Lidia fire, which is in the north of LA County, has burned 395 acres [169ha]; CalFire reporting this as 75% contained. This is mostly burning in the Angeles National Forest, but districts nearby are under evacuation orders. The entire Angeles National Forest is temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources from January 8, 2025, at 17:00hrs through Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 12:00 midnight.
The Woodley Fire, first reported early Wednesday morning local time. It burned 30 acres [12 ha] before being brought under control; it is fully contained but still active.
The Sunset fire began in the Hollywood Hills on around midnight Thursday. It has consumed around 60 acres [24 ha]. The heart of this fire was in Runyon Canyon Park, directly north of Hollywood. This fire has been contained and is no longer an ongoing incident.
The LA Fire Department has reported spot fires ahead of the main firefronts; this is where the Sunset Fire came from. If you are in Los Angeles, be alert for ember attack; ember attack is the most common way for a house to catch fire, and they travel up to 12.4 miles (20km) ahead of the firefront.
On Saturday, typical mid-January conditions are expected. Sunday and continuing through the middle of next week, weak to moderate Santa Ana winds are expected. There is a chance of strong winds Tuesday. There will continue to be a high likelihood of critical fire weather conditions through next week. (source; CalFire, Palisades update)
Evacuations and fire locations:
Remember; if you are at risk, it is better to leave early than leave late. Do NOT wait for a knock on the door, a text message, or a phone call to leave; leaving early is your safest option in a wildfire emergency. Keep your pets indoors.
Make sure you know where you are going, and try to have at least two routes mapped out in case one is closed. Make sure that your loved ones know how to reach you, and when they should start to worry.
Areas affected by the Palisades Fire (CalFire consolidated map; yellow is "alert", red is mandatory order)
Areas affected by the Kenneth Fire (CalFire consolidated map) (currently no evacuation orders in place)
Areas affected by the Sunset Fire (CalFire consolidated map) (currently no evacuation orders in place)
Areas affected by the Lidia Fire (CalFire consolidated map) (currently no evacuation orders in place)
Areas affected by the Woodley Fire (CalFire consolidated map) (evacuation orders in place)
Areas affected by the Archer Fire (CalFire consolidated map)
Those areas of Santa Monica under evacuation order or warning are on this map here; the city government's information is available here.
The WatchDuty organisation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has a map of the area with fires here, as well as an app for your phone (iOS and Android). Evacuation zones and red-flag affected areas are also marked. This resource updates very quickly to reflect the situation as it changes.
As this is no doubt doing wonders for the always-healthy Los Angeles air quality, this is probably going to have ongoing health impacts for millions of people in Southern California. People who live in the area and are affected by these fires are also likely to have ongoing trauma responses; please be kind to Los Angelenos, and each other.
If you decide to disappoint Mr Rogers or Uncle Iroh in here, you will be hit with a banhammer, and I can't believe I have to say that.
This post will be updated when I'm able to; fire situations can change very very rapidly, so please DO NOT rely on this for your updates. Good luck to all our L.A. collapseniks, and to everyone with friends/family there.
Please monitor your local government for up-to-date information.
Relevant Links:
LA Fire Department: Palisades Fire Updates and Evacuation Information
LA Fire Department: All Current Alerts
CalFire (ca.gov) Incidents Site
Media:
Air Quality maps:
IQ Air Air Quality Map (consolidates PurpleAir and Government sensors, as well as their own network)
PurpleAir Air Quality Map (tends to be more responsive, and international users can set their own AQI reading)
Airnow Gov Air Quality and Wildfire Smoke Map (now zoomed into the LA area)
Note that wild animals fleeing the firefronts have begun to enter the city; keep your pets indoors and let them pass. Note that all the pollution in the air is dangerous to your pets as well as to you; do not let your pets go outside.
Los Angles Fire Department Get Ready to Go; Evacuation Guide
For people outside of the US:
Additional Resources
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service has a resource that you can use to make a plan for what to do if you are threatened by wildfire. It is location-agnostic; anyone can use it.
The Los Angeles Subreddit has an ongoing megathread with more resources and information, including shelter information (now linking to the Jan 10 Megathread, part 1). There is also a "Did it survive?" thread. If you go there, BE NICE, and remember the sitewide rules around visiting other subreddits. They are having a very bad time.
Shelters and Donations
Shelters available for communities in the LA area (verified by the /r/LosAngeles moderation team)
The Animal Wellness Foundation is taking in pets displaced by the fire, and is appealing for donations. (verified by the r/Collapse moderation team)
Additional places seeking donations and volunteers can be found here, courtesy of the /r/LosAngeles Megathread.
The LAFD has been made aware that there is an inaccurate social media post circulating on Facebook suggesting that people can come work in California as part of a clean-up crew in areas that burned in recent wildfires. There is no truth to this social media post, and there is no need to call and inquire.
Small bit of housekeeping
We have an AMA this Friday, America time; details are here..
Again, behave in this thread in a way that would make Mr Rogers and Uncle Iroh proud of you.